KGB Article

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila looked frustrated at the swarm of reporters around his locker.

Everyone had the same question Wednesday -- Will the pass rush specialist's role be reduced in an effort to shake up the defense?

"Why does everybody keep asking me that? What are you hearing?" he asked.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that changes were coming to a squad that has lost three straight and is 4-8 this season, but was silent on just what he's planning.

McCarthy wouldn't say Wednesday whether Gbaja-Biamila's playing time might decrease in an effort to help his sagging numbers this year, but defensive tackle Corey Williams worked at Gbaja-Biamila's position during the day's practice.

"We've talked about all situations with all of our players and how we can maximize their talents and so forth," McCarthy said. "So as far as what we're doing with this guy and that guy, frankly, it's really no benefit for me to talk about."

After becoming a starter, Gbaja-Biamila had four straight years with at least 10 sacks. He only had eight last year and has five so far this season, putting him 5 1/2 away from breaking Reggie White's franchise record of 68 1/2 .

"I think Kabeer has been solid," McCarthy said. "He's playing the defense that's asked of him. I'd like to get more productivity out of him in third down and pass rush. Him and I have spoken about that. I think he's been solid against the run first and second down, but it's really the coordination between himself, the tackle, and the line to bring a support element to that side."

Williams said he was surprised he got work at defensive end.

"I played it some when I first got here, so my main thing is getting back adjusted to being out there on the edge like that. I'm so used to being inside," he said. "I think Kabeer does a pretty good job in there (against the run), but if they want to put me in there to help slow down the run or stop the run, then I think it's a great thing."

Gbaja-Biamila, in his seventh season out of San Diego State, doesn't want his playing time decreased.

"I want to play every down," he said. "I'd rather be in position to tap myself out than be taken out when I'm not tired. I'd rather feel like I played in the game and I'm out there and don't have any breath at the end of the game because I know that guy on the other end is probably huffing and puffing because of what I brought to him."

He also said that opposing teams still throw on first and second downs, meaning his abilities in the pass rush are still relevant.

"When a team runs at me, I don't do that much," he said. "I just stay in position and the play comes to me. It gets tiring if you chase the play. To me, a run is like a rest opportunity. Not to say I'm resting on that play, but it's like a rest mentality because it's more about strength, especially if they're coming at me."

Still, Gbaja-Biamila realizes questions will remain, in part because he only weighs 250 pounds, around 30 less than the average defensive end.

"I've always been the underdog. I don't mind being the underdog and I don't mind people looking on the roster and saying, 'Oh, he's light here and he's a liability or whatever,"' he said. "If that's what people want to think so be it."

But he admits that Williams lining up at defensive end is out of the norm.

"It's not normal, but coaches are doing stuff," Gbaja-Biamila said. "They're giving him a chance to get comfortable playing on first and second down. I don't know if they are trying to get him used to it if he has to go in the game. I don't know. I'm just doing what I'm asked to do."

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Why does everyone keep saying he's "solid" against the run. He's one of the worst DE's in the league vs the run.

KGB should be used as a PASS rusher. He's not an every down guy anymore.

"When they run at me, I don't do that much work, I just stay in position and the play comes at me," Gbaja-Biamila said. "You get tired when you have to chase the play . . . To me running is like a rest opportunity, not that I'm resting.

"It's a rest mentality in that I'm not exerting as much energy because all I have to do is (rely on) more my strength."

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I can understand what he is talking about , but LETTING the play come to him?? Is that what he is taught to do, or should he be chasing down the play??

He's not even that great of a pass rusher any more but I think playing every down has him taken a lot out of him. He's not that big and he goes up against brick walls every game. He gets tired and nobody subs in. I'm not making excuses. I think he's always been awful against the run and will always be awful against the run but I think as a situational pass rusher he can still really contribute. I'd like to see his contract get redone in the off season though. If not then best wishes to him.

Kabeer is playing smarter than he used to play. Remember when teams would run screen passes his way? Teams used to run a lot of delays and plays his way because he went agressively into the backfield. Teams let him take himself out of the play. I used to be quite irritated when a sweep was run while he was tied up in an inside manuever.

He is a more complete player now.

He is the size of a large linebacker. At 6-4 250 lbs., he is close to Poppings's 6-3 245 lbs. His strength is not taking on 320 lbs OT's.

It is up to the coaching staff to best use his talents and put him into situations designed for his sucess.

"When they run at me, I don't do that much work, I just stay in position and the play comes at me," Gbaja-Biamila said. "You get tired when you have to chase the play . . . To me running is like a rest opportunity, not that I'm resting.

"It's a rest mentality in that I'm not exerting as much energy because all I have to do is (rely on) more my strength."

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I can understand what he is talking about , but LETTING the play come to him?? Is that what he is taught to do, or should he be chasing down the play??

Someone help me out here....this makes no real sense to me at all...

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My understanding is that the DE's job on those end runs is just to hold firm and either force the runner too far outside or back to the inside. The DE is rarely going to make the tackle on that play. The LB's or DB's or even DT's are going to have to close the deal.

Having said that, there are a lot of times when KGB is not able to hold his position on those plays and he gets overpowered, which allows the RB to get near or beyond the line of scrimmage before he's force to commit one way or another, and that usually leads to a successful run.

I think KGB has been decent against the run for most of the year, but he got consistently blown up in the Seattle game, and it may happen more toward the end of the season as he wears down from going up against bigger guys. Maybe putting Cory Williams into the mix, as McCarthy may do this week, will improve the run defense and keep KGB fresh.